10905 Coop eco-logici products

This service is available in the UK on the Ecover range of products, but normally only from health food shops. We don't have an Ipercoop very close to us - I wonder is the Co-op do the same range? What other eco-products do people use/recommend in Italy? We have found very little so far.

On the same subject of Eco, a comune near to us has now started offering 100 euros to any new mothers who use washable nappies for their newborns.
I think this is a great incentive to encourage new mothers to use washable nappies and hope more comune's adopt this policy!
:yes:

The Co-op's scheme that Katier mentions was featured on lunch time TV a few Saturdays ago so the word will have spread.
There has recently been a revellation that washable nappies are not as "planet saving" as we are led to believe and that the disposable ones actually leave a smaller foot print, even though trillions of them go into landfill sites. The findings where apparently "hushed up". Anyone doubting this can Google but if you consider the process required and the energy used when washing and drying cotton nappies it is a reasonable statement.

[quote=Masca;102274]This service is available in the UK on the Ecover range of products, but normally only from health food shops. We don't have an Ipercoop very close to us - I wonder is the Co-op do the same range? What other eco-products do people use/recommend in Italy? We have found very little so far.[/quote]

I was recently at the Fornoli Co-op, but I was after other products and I did not check. Next time you are around the area, would you check this and let us know? Thanks.

[quote=Noble;102294]The Co-op's scheme that Katier mentions was featured on lunch time TV a few Saturdays ago so the word will have spread.
There has recently been a revellation that washable nappies are not as "planet saving" as we are led to believe and that the disposable ones actually leave a smaller foot print, even though trillions of them go into landfill sites. The findings where apparently "hushed up". Anyone doubting this can Google but if you consider the process required and the energy used when washing and drying cotton nappies it is a reasonable statement.[/quote]

Firstly if there is this so called revelation in evidence it would of been nice of you to include the link to that evidence. Also it would be interesting to know who funded this revelation of evidence "Huggies Pampers" maybe?????
As for leaving a smaller footprint what aload of nonense. How can you compare the trillions of dirty nappies that dont biograde for who knows how long compared to the extra use of electric and water in washing re usable nappies. Have you not thought about the energy resources used to make your average pack of 24 nappies then times that by the infant population of the western world and you can even think that washable nappies leave a larger footrint. I would suggest before stating your comments you should fully critique this "revelation" in question.
By the way did your google search and couldn't find any such revelation...
but did find this link for you [url=http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200708/cmselect/cmenvaud/225/225we02.htm]House of Commons - Environmental Audit - Written Evidence[/url]
House of commons public record clearly states the number one waste product being nappies and they don't bio grade for at least 500 years.
Also you failed to research the clear evidence of the benefits ofwashable nappies
look at this link [url=http://www.treehuggermums.co.uk/articles/clothnappies/article.php?article=43]TreeHugger Mums | Cloth Nappies | Why Choose Cloth Nappies?[/url]
and this one by the NHS
[url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/1287722.stm]BBC News | HEALTH | NHS urged to promote washable nappies[/url]
I think enough said don't you...

Most of my local biological shops sell the Ecor range of detergents etc. I very much like the washing powder and conditioner with added lavendar oil. I've occasionally seen this range in supermarkets too.

Further to above Noble.
I found this so called "Revelation" here's the link for you [url=http://www.nappyinformationservice.co.uk/21.11.05%20Shadow%20Environment%20Minister.htm]nappy, nappies, diapers, nappy information service, AHPMA[/url]
Makes interesting reading especially if you go to the Ahpma website which translates really to the association of disposable nappies agianst washable nappies. To me has eccos of the tobacco industries association into tobacco studies and effects........

Irrespective of your rudeness to Noble, who was referring to the Environment Agency Report (May 2005), that report did conclude that 'there was very little to choose between disposable nappies and cloth nappies' when considered on a 'whole life energy basis'.

It was well covered in the press at the time, (but I can't find the full report on the Environment Agency website), just some quotes.

That trade site (here is a press release from them about the EA report - which I didn't post earlier since it wasn't the original report, and clearly is coloured by its authors.) However, they are quoting "The Environment Agency" - who I doubt are funded by Huggies!

[url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=146411]Disposable Nappies - No Worse for the Environment Than Cloth Nappies[/url]

Before our son was born I had intended to use cloth nappies but looking into the matter further here in Puglia, I couldn't find them and I also read that maybe they weren't all they were cracked up to be, environmentally. I then tried to find the biodegradable type but found they cost twice the price which I just cannot justify, as much as I love my planet. I'm going to check out those links now - thanks. Every time I throw a nappy in the bin I feel guilty...

Masca - only in recent times have I started noticing more eco-friendly stuff here, but it is the Coop that has the best range - all cleaning and washing products are available. I have to say whenever I am there I think I am the only one buying that stuff- I never see it in anyone else's trolley!

Il cacciatore - that's a great incentive, but I think it will be about 40 years or so before it would catch on down here - I take it you're somewhere centre-north? When we lived in Tuscany I noticed so much more being done towards protecting the environment - a lot of incentives.

[quote=Charles Phillips;102313]That trade site (here is a press release from them about the EA report - which I didn't post earlier since it wasn't the original report, and clearly is coloured by its authors.) However, they are quoting "The Environment Agency" - who I doubt are funded by Huggies!

[url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=146411]Disposable Nappies - No Worse for the Environment Than Cloth Nappies[/url][/quote]

Have a look at the board at the bottom of this page, you will see that there are reresentatives of large companies that produce DISPOSABLE continence products, these companies have LOADS of monies to promote themselves far more than any cloth nappy manufacturer. I would not really consider this "report" credible or worthy of a second glance in view of this. Thanks anyway.

Il Cacciatore, I am sorry that I did not offer evidence to support my nappy comment. You have small children and I think you are also involved in a business selling ecologically friendly clothing for babies and children in Le Marche? Although I respect your view point, I do think that often caring busy mothers (especially English ones living in Italy), are not always aware or have the time, to search for information available regarding such things as disposable nappies. Katier feels guilty each time she disposes of one and yet she is a caring mother as the shopping trolley post shows. I have read your links but am still not convinced that the original cotton nappies are significantly less damaging to the planet than disposable ones. We all try to be green but sometimes the demands of life have to be balanced against hours in the day and the money available.

[quote=Noble;102345]Il Cacciatore, I am sorry that I did not offer evidence to support my nappy comment. You have small children and I think you are also involved in a business selling ecologically friendly clothing for babies and children in Le Marche? Although I respect your view point, I do think that often caring busy mothers (especially English ones living in Italy), are not always aware or have the time, to search for information available regarding such things as disposable nappies. Katier feels guilty each time she disposes of one and yet she is a caring mother as the shopping trolley post shows. I have read your links but am still not convinced that the original cotton nappies are significantly less damaging to the planet than disposable ones. We all try to be green but sometimes the demands of life have to be balanced against hours in the day and the money available.[/quote]

Noble,
I find it abit pathetic that you are now trying to discredit me with the fact that my wife has an organic babies business here in Italy. As others will see I have made no comment about it on this thread neither have I tried to publicise my wife's business during this thread.
The evidence is clear it's a shame that you can't see it, but then being a retired business woman living in Italy you don't have to really worry about any Ecological effects on yourself.
Furthermore anybody can use an excuse not to do something when they don't really want to do it in the first place. Katier's chose not to use washable nappies which is her choice but don't try to justify that or say that it's the demands of her life.
Washable nappies cost far less than disposable ones and can be re used from one child to another. It's not hard to switch a washing machine on a couple of extra times aweek.
One should consider that if a mother has such high demands on her life that she doesn't have the time to switch on a washing machine a couple more times aweek whether she actually has the time to raise a child.

Oh dear. I apologise for upsetting you and certainly it was not my intention to discredit you. My intention was to say that as you have an interest in planet friendly baby products, you would be better informed, but I am still not convinced that disposable nappies are damaging the planet, any more than traditional re usable cotton ones. Perhaps we can please agree to differ?

What rubbish!!The whole thing is nothing but spin from makers of disposable nappies and based on false research.

20 years ago we used terries for both babies but I only boiled the dirty ones and the majority got soaked in napisan and rinsed in soapy water only at a low temp. All nappies were dried on our line not in a tumble drier which we've never owned .It wasn't easy but I would not be able to live with the thoght of all those rotting bags of s..t piled up somewhere that will still be there when both babies have long since gone!!And the babies are pretty pleased now even if they did moan on at the time( got them toilet trained pdq I can tell you)

Its really good news about the refils.I wish the UK supermarkets would do the same.I still find it impossible to get the old guy in the market to put his veg in my own bags!! He seems put out when I try to ask him to do this! But in the other shops people seem to be getting used to me bringing my own bags!

I'm a stay-at-home dad living in Rome. My son is now 18 months old and at the beginning we had exactly the same dilemma about whether to go for cloth nappies or disposables. I did quite a bit of research and we decided to use Tots Bots cloth nappies (sent over from the UK). We do put him in a disposable at night because a cloth nappies simply can't absorb enough liquid to keep him dry for 12 hours.

The DEFRA report concludes that disposables are 'no more damaging to the environment than cloth nappies'. If you look at the detailed assumptions used by the researchers in their calculations, you will quickly see why this claim doesn't stand up. For example, the report assumes that nappies are washed at 90 degrees, when modern nappies can be washed at 30. It then assumes that all cloth nappies are being tumble-dried rather than dried on the line, as we are fortunate enough to be able to do most of the year round in Italy. In this way the energy consumption calculations in the DEFRA report are badly skewed in favour of disposable nappies, while the fact is that if you are careful about how you wash and dry them, cloth nappies are far cheaper and far less damaging to the environment.

If anyone is interested, I wrote up my findings on my blog, [URL="http://www.aromanthought.com/2007/07/nappy-nonsense.html"]here[/URL].

As someone who did some work in the UK for a well known disposable manufacturer I know that one of the main aims of these companies is to make nappies so comfortable (locking away wetness, nice snuggly elastic etc) that your child will want to continue using nappies for as long as possible. It's much nicer to wear a wet nappy that doesn't feel wet than a wet terry which I should imagine is not the most pleasant thing. I have no idea if there have been studies done that prove whether children are in nappies longer than they used to be but if they are wouldn't this also contribute to the eco unfriendliness of disposables?

Totally agree Helen - our youngest actually began to pull her terry nappy off when she was 1 as she didn't like the feel of it once it was wet !I used to put those thick absorbant terry knickers on her in the day.We had a few mishaps on car journeys but not many.She only needed a nappy overnight.

Couldn't help feeling a bit smug when I saw 3 year olds in nappies ! Probably saved enough money to buy our house in Italy - well perhaps not !

[quote=HelenMW;104010]As someone who did some work in the UK for a well known disposable manufacturer I know that one of the main aims of these companies is to make nappies so comfortable (locking away wetness, nice snuggly elastic etc) that your child will want to continue using nappies for as long as possible. It's much nicer to wear a wet nappy that doesn't feel wet than a wet terry which I should imagine is not the most pleasant thing. I have no idea if there have been studies done that prove whether children are in nappies longer than they used to be but if they are wouldn't this also contribute to the eco unfriendliness of disposables?[/quote]

I totally agree...
Yes there have been studies recently and it has been proved that children in washable nappies will start potty training far in advanced of children using disposable nappies.
In fact my 2 yr old daughter has always used washable nappies here in Itay since her birth and in a week she was potty trained by herself and only uses a washable nappy at night. Thats a full year to 2 years before the average child.

Lecce IperCoop have this range of refillable eco cleaning products. But do they work? I must confess I have not used eco products for some years, when I did years back they were ineffective. Maybe they have improved now, can anyone enlighten me.

katier - at Lecce Ipercoop yesterday I saw the trolleys with baby seats (like car seats) attached - something you mentioned that you had not found in an earlier post. Have not seen them before but would probably not have noticed, or maybe they are new. They were not in the general trolley bays but to the right, outside the entrance at the IperCoop end.

Lecce IperCoop have this range of refillable eco cleaning products. But do they work? I must confess I have not used eco products for some years, when I did years back they were ineffective. Maybe they have improved now, can anyone enlighten me.

katier - at Lecce Ipercoop yesterday I saw the trolleys with baby seats (like car seats) attached - something you mentioned that you had not found in an earlier post. Have not seen them before but would probably not have noticed, or maybe they are new. They were not in the general trolley bays but to the right, outside the entrance at the IperCoop end.

TB - Yes, they do have a few, but I'm always worried they'll all be in use when I go, there aren't many.
I buy those products and they're great - the washing detergent is absolutely fine - I use it at 30° on baby food stains and it works a treat, so I would recommend them. Smell nice too! maybe we will bump into each other there one day!

Will have to give the eco products another try then ....

Katie, I don't get to Ipercoop that often - prefer to shop locally (and on my bike when I can), but do make regular trips to stock up on cat food - Ipercoop have the best, 39 cents a can, cat food that I can find. And with 20 odd cats to feed, it makes the trip into Surbo worthwhile!